M-2035 "Champ" Conventional Heavy-Utility Multi-Purpose (CHUMP)

Although an army's main face to the public are the more "sexy vehicles, like the main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and heavy artillery pieces, it is the smaller "behind-the-scenes" workhorses that keep the military running smoothly. The M-2035 "CHAMP" was a prime example of a simply vehicle designed to fill many roles. Meant to replace the HMMWV, the M-2035 used a common frame to support all of the roles that the HMMVW filled. These included cargo/troop carrier, armament carrier, anti-tank missile system carrier, shelter carrier, two ambulance variants (2- and 4-litter), and light anti-aircraft vehicle. It was used by all the branches of the armed forces and was a common sight on any military installation.

Design began on the "CHAMP" in 2035, hence its M-2035 designation, to replace the M998 HMMWV. The M-2035 was to replace the M998 HMMWV for two reasons. First, the availability of high-strength, non-corrosive materials meant that the standard steel frames of the M998 were outdated and required higher maintenance. Second was the power system in the M998. Traditional fossil-fueled vehicles were being replaced throughout the US military. The recent introduction of fusion reactors to power military vehicles meant that the entire force would be traveling faster and further than ever before. However, fusion reactors were still too expensive to justify putting them into a vehicle roughly the size of a HMMWV. It was therefore decided the vehicle would use a fuel cell system like those in the AAAV-10 Wolverine, M1A5 Abrams, and M2001 Crusader. The fuel cells operate by pulling the electrons off of an H2 molecule, splitting it into 2H+ molecules and 2 electrons. The electrons pass through the "load" (engines, weapons, avionics, etc.) creating current and powering the systems. Meanwhile, the 2H+ molecules pass from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte. At the other "end", the electrons then recombine with the 2H+ molecules and Oxygen (from the air) and are release as water from the rear of the vehicle.

The CHAMP's came from the military's name for the project, the Conventional Heavy-Utility Multi-Purpose (CHUMP) vehicle. When it was first introduced, military personnel immediately called the vehicle by its given acronym much to the dismay of their commanders. Immediately word was passed up the chain of command. In its place, the name CHAMP was given. It is interesting to note that like the HMMWV, civilian retailers took the CHAMP and marketed it to the public as the Champion. The Champion was an instant success and was more successful than the Hummer in nearly all markets.

The CHAMP sported a wide wheel-base like the HMMWV to use the same wheel-base as the M1A5 Abrams Main Battle Tank and M2A7 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. It could traverse terrain that normal jeeps and sports utility vehicles were not able to cross. The CHAMP was equipped with automatic transmission and four wheel drive. The vehicle could carry approximately 2000 kilograms in the standard cargo model and has room for four passengers in the main compartment. It was air transportable and could be from a variety of aircraft. The standard vehicle frame was not enclosed, but several variants did feature an enclosed cabin for protection from light weapons and all types of weather. These variants had their cargo and passenger compartments air tight with all doors and hatches sealed and while the vehicle does not provide full environmental systems, the scrubbers in the air circulation unit can filter out most toxic gasses. The CHAMP could be outfitted with two mounted weapons. Usually an M-220 Squad Automatic Pulse Laser Rifle would be mounted forward with a 90 degree arc of fire. Either an AGL-40 Automatic Grenade Launcher or a USA-M31 Rail Gun would be mounted in the rear of open-topped CHAMPs for extra firepower.

With the introduction of the new breed of hover vehicles in the later half of the 21st century, many people thought that the end of the CHAMP was at hand. This could not have been further from the truth. The M-4044 Sand Rat hover jeep was never really planned to replace the M2035 but as a supplement. Thousands survived the Great Cataclysm and are still in use by mercenary companies. In addition, Civilian versions are still in use and are extremely popular with civilian adventures and even farmers.

Model Type: USA-M-2035 CHAMP
Vehicle Type: 1 1/2 ton truck
Crew: Five (Driver, 4 Passengers); Can carry up to four additional passengers with gear in cargo compartment on standard model. Six passengers can be carried in cargo compartment in cramped conditions.

M.D.C. By Location:
Top Weapon Hatch:30
Front Weapon Hatch:30
Rear Cargo Hatch:30
[1] Headlights (4):5 each
Reinforced Crew Compartment:40
[1] Tires (4):25 each
[2] Main Body:120

Notes:
[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a "called shot," but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the unit down completely, making it useless.

Speed:
Ground: Cruising speed on land is 90 mph (144.8 kph) on roads and 55 mph (88.5 kph) off road maximum
Maximum Range: 500 miles (805 kilometers)

Statistical Data:
Height: 6.6 feet (2.0 meters) with no weapon extended from the top
Width: 9.0 feet (2.75 meters)
Length: 18.0 feet (5.5 meters)
Weight: 7,720 lbs (3,500 kg) empty.
Power System: Fuel Cell System
Cargo Capacity: 4,853 lbs (2,200 kg)
Black Market Cost: 80,000 credits

Weapon Systems:
No weapon systems are standard but a variety of different weapons can be mounted in the vehicle. One light weapon can be mounted forward with a single heavy weapon mounted so it fires from an opening in the top of the cargo compartment or from the rear deck. Along with these weapons, handheld missile launchers are popular with the vehicle crews.

  1. Top Weapon Mount (1): The CM2035 has a spindle to mount a weapon in the rear cargo area. The weapon is designed for use against troops and aircraft. The weapon mount was operated by one of the passengers in the rear of the vehicle. Almost all vehicles have had their weapons replaced by newer post-Cataclysm models, i.e. Coalition, Wellington Industries, Naruni Industries, etc.
    1. 12.7 millimeter Browning M2HB Machine-gun: Designed in the early part of the Twentieth Century and extremely effective until the invention of high strength body armors, this gun was carried on early versions of the M2035. Special Ram-Jet style rounds, similar to those developed by Wellington after the coming of the Rifts, were developed for the weapon in an attempt to keep the weapon effective. Even with the more powerful rounds, the weapon was still considered of limited effectiveness and was replaced by liquid propellant weapons or an automatic grenade launchers.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914.4 meters)
      Mega Damage: Single shot does 1D4 and 40 round burst does 5D6.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander).
      Payload: 1000 rounds (25 bursts).
    2. USA-LPG-8-B Liquid Propellant Gatling Gun: Along with the fully automatic grenade launcher, replaced the 12.7 mm Browning machine-gun on virtually all M2035s. On most CHAMPs that were in National Guard Armories, the liquid propellant weapons were replaced by rail guns. This weapon is similar to the sub-machine-gun carried on the USA-GPA-01-D. This weapon's primary purpose is use against infantry and other lightly armored targets. The weapon can fire all types of burst available to machine guns except extended bursts. The weapon uses a special liquid propellant which delivers about four times the force of nitro-cellulose propellant and the weapon fires an 8 mm round. Originally, a heavier liquid propellant weapon of 12 mm was planned but it was decided that all weapon sharing the same ammunition would be advantageous.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage:
        Single Shot (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
        Ten Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 5D6
        Ten Round Burst on 1D4 Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
        Thirty Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6x10
        Thirty Round Burst on 1D8 Target (Costs 1 attack): 2D6
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander).
      Payload: 3000 rounds (Can share ammo with other liquid propellant weapons for a possible total of 18,000 rounds)
    3. US AGL-40 Automatic Grenade Launcher: Weapon is very similar to the WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher produced by Wellington Industries but uses a slightly smaller round and the weapon itself is slightly lighter. Weapon was used in vehicles as well as being used in tripod mounts and used by power armors. Weapon can fire single shot or bursts of ten rounds and can inflict heavy damage when burst fired. The grenade launcher can use either a 40 round magazine or 200 round belt. The CHAMP normally did not mount this weapon forward, but some Special Operations vehicles were fitted with it.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 ft (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage: 3D6 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 12 ft and 5D6 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 3 ft, burst of 10 rounds does 2D4x10 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 40 ft and 2D6x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 8 ft. Other special rounds are available.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander) - Single Shot or Ten round bursts.
      Payload: 200 Round Belt.
    4. USA-M31 Rail gun: Replaced Liquid Propellant Weapons on most National Guard Armory models of the M2035. It is simpler as far as ammunition and operation than the liquid propellant weapon. From the original Pre-Rifts SAMAS design. The rail gun has fewer bursts and is heavier but the rail gun inflicts more damage than the post Rifts C-40R.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).
      Mega-Damage: A burst of 40 rounds does 1D6x10.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander).
      Payload: 4,000 round magazine for 100 bursts (Can share ammo with other rail guns for a possible total of 16,000 rounds)
  2. Light Secondary Mount: Mounted facing forward with a 90 degree arc of fire. The original 7.62 weapon was considered badly underpowered and was replaced by Liquid Propellant Weapons soon after the vehicle entered service. Weapons are mostly used for anti-personnel purposes. The front passenger controlled weapon mount. Almost all vehicles have had their weapons replaced by newer post-Cataclysm models, i.e. Coalition, Wellington Industries, Naruni Industries, etc.
    1. 7.62 mm M240 Medium Machine-guns (2): Carried on the original M2035 CHAMP but was quickly replaced on most tanks by liquid propellant weapons. Engineers developed Ramjet rounds for the 7.62 machine-gun but they were found to be ineffective.
      Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 m)
      Mega Damage: One round does 1 M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets or 3D6x10 S.D.C. to soft targets. Twenty round bursts do 2D4 M.D.C.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
      Payload: Carries 10,000 rounds for the Coaxial mount and 1,400 rounds for the driver operated machine-gun.
    2. USA-LPG-8-B Liquid Propellant Gatling Gun: Replaced the 7.62 mm machine-gun on virtually all vehicles. On most M2035 that were in National Guard Armories, the liquid propellant weapons were replaced by rail guns. This weapon is similar to the sub-machine-gun carried on the USA-GPA-01-D. This weapon's primary purpose is use against infantry and other lightly armored targets. The weapon can fire all types of burst available to machine guns except extended bursts. The weapon uses a special liquid propellant which delivers about four times the force of nitro-cellulose propellant and the weapon fires an 8 mm round.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage:
      Single Shot (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
        Ten Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 5D6
        Ten Round Burst on 1D4 Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
        Thirty Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6x10
        Thirty Round Burst on 1D8 Target (Costs 1 attack): 2D6
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner.
      Payload: 12,000 rounds for Coaxial mount and 3,000 rounds for driver operated mount (Can share ammo with top mounted liquid propellant weapon if mounted for a possible total of 18,000 rounds.)
    3. US M-220 Squad Automatic Pulse Laser Rifle: Replaced Liquid Propellant Weapons on most National Guard Armory models of the M2035. Special Pulse laser rifle based off of the M-120, was considered quite effective and allows for the ability to fire single shot, three round bursts, and extended bursts.
      Weight: 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg)
      Maximum Effective Range: 1600 feet (610 meters)
      Mega Damage: 2D6 per single shot, 6D6 for a rapid fire three shot burst, or use machine gun burst rules for higher burst setting.
      Rate of Fire: Single Shot, Three Round Burst, and Extended Bursts (Use Machine Gun burst rules).
      Payload: 40 shots short E-Clip, 50 Shots each long E-Clip

Sensory Equipment:

Bonuses:

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By Kamikazi (kamikazi_gm@hotmail.com).

Copyright © 2005, Kamikazi. All rights reserved.

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